Quota cap delays induction of 44 Unilorin medical graduates
No fewer than 44 graduates of the College of Health Sciences at University of Ilorin are yet to be inducted into the medical profession due to quota restrictions affecting medical programmes.
The issue came to light after affected graduates took to X to express frustration over delays by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
One user, KamalJims, lamented that students spent eight years completing a six year programme yet remain unable to obtain licences to practise. Another user, Dekkey Olaoye, accused the university of admitting students beyond its approved quota despite being aware of the limits.
Journalist Rufai Oseni also shared a message from a concerned parent who said 25 graduates who completed their training in August and received results in September were excluded from the first induction because of the 150 student quota. The parent added that 19 others who wrote resit exams were also affected, bringing the total to 44.
According to the parent, the graduates were initially assured they would be inducted within four to six weeks after the resits, but more than two months later, no timeline has been communicated. There are also fears they may have to wait until the next graduation cycle, which could take up to 10 months.
Reacting, the university’s Director of Corporate Communications, Kunle Akogun, said the delay was due to quota limitations. The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Biodun Suleiman Alabi, explained that 194 students sat for the final MBBS examinations, with 175 passing and 19 requiring resits.
He said the institution was informed that only 150 students could be inducted in line with its approved quota, leading to the induction of the top 150 candidates in November. He added that although the Federal Government announced plans to double admission quotas for medical programmes, the policy has not yet been implemented.
Alabi noted that the university has continued to engage the council to secure induction for the remaining graduates but has yet to achieve progress. He dismissed social media claims that the affected students would be merged with the next batch.
He appealed to parents and students to remain patient, adding that the Vice Chancellor, Wahab Egbewole, and the management team are working to resolve the issue.
The provost also disclosed that preparations are underway to invite the council for reaccreditation of the programme, which could increase the quota and allow more graduates to be inducted.
An MDCN official, who spoke anonymously due to civil service rules, said the council is bound to induct graduates strictly according to approved quotas, stressing that institutions cannot exceed their limits.
